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Ted Wyman, QMI Agency

Feb 22, 2014

, Last Updated: 2:36 PM ET

SOCHI, RUSSIA - Jennifer Jones said the words from a legend took her breath away.

A day after becoming the world's ice queen by winning the Olympic gold medal, Jones read comments from legendary Canadian Colleen Jones that declared the Manitoba skip the greatest of all-time in women's curling.

"It's quite surreal to me to have somebody who has won as much as her and somebody that I respect and admire as much as Colleen Jones to say such inspiring comments about myself and our team," Jennifer Jones said Saturday.

"I think the article is very flattering and kind of took my breath away because it came from her and somebody that I respect so much."

Jennifer Jones, who also has won four Canadian championships and one world title, said she doesn't know where she ranks in the grand scheme of things.

"I do know that I've been on some amazing teams and have achieved some amazing dreams and successes and it's because of my teammates," she said at a press conference with her gold medal-winning teammates Kaitlyn Lawes, Jill Officer and Dawn McEwen.

As for having her name in the mix with some of the legends of the game, Jones said it's tough to make the comparison.

"Sandra Schmirler was tremendous, in their run (three world championships, Olympic gold medal), Anette Norberg won two Olympics gold medals," Jennifer Jones said. "Colleen Jones, the longevity of her career, is unbelievable. There's so many great players in our game, so I don't know if you can ever pick one. There's so many different eras in curling.

"To be even considered as one of the best is a true honour for me."

After going 11-0 in the Olympic tournament and winning the gold medal, Jennifer Jones' name has been bandied about as a possible flag-bearer for Canada at the Closing Ceremony.

"I can't even begin to describe that," she said. "It would be a huge, huge honour. Just to even be considered would be amazing. I respect each and every one of these athletes so much and to be in that category would be unbelievable.

"To be able to walk out with the flag in your hand for Canada, for this great country, at the Olympic Games, representing all the the great athletes, would be the biggest honour in the world."

The Jones team will arrive home in Winnipeg on Tuesday night and will no doubt be greeted by hundreds of supporters after their epic win in Sochi.

One question on many people's minds will be: "Where does Jones go from here?"

Mother to 15-month-old Isabella, Jones and her partner Brent Laing, who is also a competitive curler, have some decisions to make about their athletic futures.

"I don't know," Jones said. "We have not talked about what the future holds for us as individuals on my team and, for me. There's obviously a lot bigger questions with Brent and I and trying to figure out where we're going to live and raise our family.

"I told him after we won the Olympic Trials, he gets to decide first. I would like him to be able to experience this and he's not sure what's happening with curling so we'll wait and see." Physically, Jones feels like she has a lot of good years left so it's just a matter of deciding whether she wants to commit to another Olympic cycle.

"I feel like I'm in some of the best shape of my life and I feel like I can compete at the top level," she said. "I know I could continue, it's just a question of whether I want to take time with my family right now or wait another four years.

"There's just so many logistical things with my life. It's more than curling for me right now. We love playing together so I think if everybody wants to play. We'll probably continue to play for at least a few more years."